Four rhino poaching suspects arrested in Jorhat

Four men have been arrested as suspects in rhino poaching during a special operation conducted in the Hathishal area of Assam's Jorhat district. According to an NDTV report, the action was carried out by the Jorhat Forest Division in the Hathishal area of Tek subdivision. This arrest is being viewed as a major success in wildlife conservation and anti-poaching efforts.

According to Jorhat police sources, one suspect sustained serious injuries during the operation. During the action ongoing in the areas surrounding Kaziranga National Park, a rhino attacked the suspect, leading to the injuries.

The entire operation was part of 'Operation Falcon', the primary objective of which is to keep poachers away from the areas surrounding Kaziranga National Park. Based on specific intelligence, forest department officials launched a search operation in the dense forests of Barluit, resulting in the apprehension of four suspects. Police sources stated that specific intelligence had been received regarding these four individuals, and they are suspected of being involved in rhino poaching.

It has been learned that the arrested men are residents of different parts of Assam. According to police sources, one of the apprehended suspects is from Gohpur and another is a resident of Narayanpur, while the remaining two suspects have emerged to be residents of Jajimukh.

Upon learning of the incident, personnel from Tek and Lahdoigarh police stations reached the spot. Further investigation and operations are currently ongoing in the area. From the perspective of wildlife conservation, Hathishal and its surrounding areas are very important, as the movement of several one-horned rhinos has been observed in this area in recent years.

Operation Falcon is an anti-poaching and wildlife conservation campaign jointly launched by the Assam Police and the Assam Forest Department. This campaign has helped in bringing the number of rhino poaching incidents in Kaziranga down to zero. Under Operation Falcon, launched in 2024, 48 hardcore poachers have been arrested in the last 2 years prior to the recent arrests. Additionally, 9 major attempts at rhino poaching have been foiled and 15 weapons have been seized.